What to Wear in Cuba, and How to Fit it All in a Carry-on

What to Expect When Flying Into Cuba from the United States — Marissa Webb Kierra Dress

Don’t pack light; pack smart. If I’m leaving town for four days or four weeks, everything I’m wearing — everything — must fit in a carry-on and a backpack. Minimalism has saved me from the pains of lost luggage, long check-in lines, long baggage claim lines, and the sweaty struggle of dragging an overblown wardrobe from train to train. Later this month, I’ll break down how to stay so fresh and so clean while traveling with only a carry-on. Today, let’s talk about clothes.

What to Wear in Cuba

For our trip to Cuba, where temperatures were 85°F on average, I packed airy cotton pieces: two dresses, three tops, one pair of jeans, one pair of shorts, and two tops and bottoms for working out. Altogether, it was enough for 5-6 days without a visit to the laundromat, and it gave me enough leeway to choose a different outfit each morning arbitrarily. Most importantly, everything fit neatly inside of my three packing cubes. I was ready for salsa dancing, horseback riding, and biking through the city. It was perfect.